Elizabeth Carpenter Leads The Way For University School's New-found Success.

GOLFERS OF THE YEAR

May 26, 1999|By DAVE BROUSSEAU Staff Writer

Elizabeth Carpenter may not be the best golfer in the area, but she is a model of consistency.

The University School junior had another excellent season, her fifth on the school's varsity team.

She lowered her nine-hole stroke average from 38.2 last season to 36.9 this year. She was a key reason the Suns won their first District 15-4A championship and first opportunity to play at the state tournament as a team.

Carpenter's top-15 finish led University to fifth place at the tournament. She is the Sun-Sentinel Player of the Year.

"I improved the flight on my ball a lot this year,'' Carpenter said. "But I didn't putt well at all. What helped me this year is that I'm a little older and mature. Overall I know my game better than last year.''

Carpenter began playing golf when she was 10 and hadn't really taken the sport seriously until her freshman year. She had played four sports before then.

"It would have been a schedule nightmare,'' Carpenter said. "I realized for me to play good high school golf I had to cut back my participation to swimming and golf.''

Carpenter was modest when named Player of the Year.

"I was very honored by the decision,'' she said. "We have a lot of girl golfers in the county who are very good. I can't remember when we had an All-County team when all the girls averaged under 40.''

Carpenter isn't satisfied with this season's success. She would like more.

"I need to improve my putting game,'' she said. "I think it will come around. I need to spend more time on it and get my confidence back.

Carpenter said she will play some local junior golf tournaments this summer and will attempt to qualify for the American Golf Association 13-18 girls' tournament in Maryland.